Bee The Change
The future of humanity depends on pollinators, and the future of our pollinators depends on us.
This is your invitation to Bee The Change.
Why are bees and other pollinators so important?
Well, for starters, they keep us from going hungry. In fact, 70 out of 100 crop species that feed 90% of the world are pollinated.
Bees and other pollinators are disappearing at an alarming rate, and they need our help.
We are in a climate crisis, and 2023 was the hottest year on record. Achieving net zero emissions is at the forefront of many people’s minds right now—but we’ll never get there without protecting our ecosystems. And our ecosystems can’t thrive without bees and other pollinators.
There’s no net zero without nature, and no nature without bees.
Our mission is to combat climate change by protecting nature and saving our pollinators. It won’t be easy – so we need your support.
We can't be without bees
Here’s how we’re going to save our pollinators
By forming a science-led, non-profit coalition of individuals, businesses and organisations who are all focussed on the protection of bees and pollinators, we’re creating a movement to engage people worldwide. Through the Trillion Bees coalition, we’re raising awareness, raising the game, and raising funds.
Over the next 7 years, we’re set to engage and mobilise over 2 billion people worldwide, and aim to raise over $1 billion dollars to support nature restoration and transformative projects to save our pollinators.
Our scientific advisory board, made up of leading scientists in the fields of land management, pollination and conservationism, are instrumental in setting our goals and the plans to meet them. The Trillion Bees Theory of Change (a methodology of projects and expected outcomes), which is set and approved by the board, will be our north star.
“Bee The Change will drive a wide range of positive actions to protect all pollinators and their habitats. This is guided by our science-led Theory of Change, which is a powerful tool to ensure that the actions are based on the best available scientific evidence and knowledge.”
Professor Simon Potts
Chair of Trillion Bees Scientific Advisory Board
The buzz about Bee The Change
SWARM
Bee The Change, together with PANGAIA and VCA, hosted a participatory art installation SWARM at COP28.
SWARM is a metaphor for people coming together to create positive change.
We had 2000 participants who wrote their pledges to nature, folded origami and added it to the art piece, becoming part of the collective.
The SWARM was donated to Terra - The Sustainability Pavilion at Expo City Dubai, where it continues the mission of educating visitors on the importance of pollinators work for nature and people.
Bee The Change Events at COP28
Bee The Change and Expo City Dubai co-hosted the first official introduction, presented by Samata Pattinson, where our community of co-founding members delivered wonderful and impactful speeches about their motivations behind joining the forces in a challenge to restore nature and save pollinators.
At COP28’s Green Stage, PANGAIA and G42 hosted a first world preview of Bee The Change nature documentary, presented by award-winning film director Josh Tickell.
Bee The Change was also present at Global Citizen Forum with several events and special activations.
You neither could miss us at Dubai Airport, where with great support from DXB and JCDecaux, floors and digital screens were covered with the bees!
PANGAIA
Powered by materials science company PANGAIA, the Bee The Change capsule was designed in honour of our planet’s bees—with a portion of the profits from every purchase donated to our Bee The Change fund.
Available at pangaia.com or in the PANGAIA store, Concourse B, Dubai International Airport.
Four ways we can help our pollinator friends
1. Feed the pollinators
Cultivating a corner of your garden or balcony with wildflowers or bee-friendly trees is a great way to provide food for pollinating insects. Every little patch counts.
2. Create Pollinator Havens
Just as we need homes, our pollinator friends need shelter too. Consider setting up a bee hotel, drill holes in untreated wood for solitary bees, or leave patches of bare soil for ground-nesters. By giving them a home, you're not just nurturing nature; you're also ensuring a fruitful environment for future generations.
3. Avoid pesticides
When shopping for groceries, choose items labelled as organic or eco-friendly. This means they’re produced without harmful pesticides, especially the spraying of neonicotinoids, which are a massive threat to bees and pollinators. By supporting farmers who use organic farming practices, we can promote bee health and contribute to a healthier environment.
4. Supporting Diverse Farming
From buying locally-produced or regeneratively-farmed products, to supporting community gardens that promote diverse planting, and advocating for policies or politicians who champion the transition to regenerative agricultural practices – remember, each purchase, plant, or vote is a step towards a thriving future.
Meet 10 of our planet’s coolest pollinators
When we talk about pollinators, most of us immediately think of bees. And while they certainly deserve the spotlight, our world is abuzz with many other vital pollinators – each playing their own indispensable role. These creatures ensure we have food on our plates and fill our landscapes with blossoming flowers and plants. From night-flying bats to graceful hummingbirds, discover 10 of our planet’s most amazing pollinators.
Bees
Perhaps the most recognised pollinator, bees are essential for pollinating various fruits, vegetables, and nuts, and are the producers of delicious honey—but are only 7 out of 20,000 different kinds of bees. Their social nature and ability to communicate with one another about food sources make them efficient and effective at pollinating.
Butterflies
Butterflies are more than just a delight to the eyes. Their long legs touch parts of flowers that many other insects can't, transferring pollen efficiently.
Bats
Night's unsung heroes, bats pollinate over 500 plant species, including some of our favourites like mangoes and agaves (which we use to make tequila).
Hummingbirds
With their incredible hovering ability and penchant for nectar, hummingbirds pollinate many wildflowers, playing a key role in diverse ecosystems.
Beetles
One of our oldest pollinators, beetles have been pollinating our planet for over 100 million years. They often feast on flower parts, inadvertently spreading pollen in the process.
Moths
These nocturnal creatures pollinate many plants under the cover of darkness. Over time, some plants have evolved long tubes to suit moths' long tongues.
Wasps
Often mistaken as mere nuisances, wasps play a critical role in pollinating many of the plants and flowers in our gardens.
Ants
While not as efficient as some other pollinators, ants do their bit. Their love for nectar often leads them to inadvertently transfer pollen between flowers.
Flies
Especially important in higher altitudes and colder climates where bees might be scarce, flies, including hoverflies, are critical for some flowers and crops.
Other birds
In regions like New Zealand, birds like the kiwi play a significant role in pollination. Their beaks and feathers pick up and transfer pollen as they search for nectar.
...And many more
The beauty of nature lies in its interconnectedness. From the smallest ant to the hovering hummingbird, each pollinator has a part to play in the grand tapestry of life. Next time you enjoy a piece of fruit or marvel at a blooming flower, take a moment to appreciate the incredible creatures that made it all possible.
What food or drink could we lose if pollinators were to go extinct?
Fruits and berries
Delicious fruit snacks, smoothies and juices are all at risk if pollinators die out. Apple trees require cross-pollination to grow fruit, strawberries grow larger and fuller when supported by bee pollination, and delicious blueberries would not exist at all without pollinators.
Vegetables and legumes
Imagine your go-to cooking ingredients and favourite salad veggies being constantly out of stock, or impossibly expensive to buy. Butterflies, bees and beetles all pollinate squash, pumpkins and cucumbers, and onions rely on bees for seed production, too.
Seeds and nuts
Love your morning cup of coffee? You can thank our pollinators – bee-pollinated coffee plants yield more and better quality beans. Cacao trees (the source of our beloved chocolate) also benefit from pollination by midges and bees; without them, chocolate bars and hot chocolates would be rare (and expensive) treats.
Our scientific advisory board
Trillion Bees and Bee The Change is led by science, ensuring that the goals, targets, facts and assessment are fully aligned with the latest scientific research. The scientific advisory board, a selected group of some of the world’s leading scientists and experts within biodiversity, land management, conservation and pollinators, include:
Professor Simon Potts (Chair), Professor of Biodiversity and Ecosystem services at University of Reading; Dr Deepa Senapathi, Associate Professor, Head of Department of Sustainable Land Management, University of Reading; Rab Nawaz, Senior Director Biodiversity at WWF in Pakistan; Scott Black, Executive Director of the Xerces Society; Marten Schoonman, Advisor, bees and biodiversity at Naturalis Biodiversity Center; S. Mehreen Shahzad, Global Programme Development and Resource Mobilisation, Wildlife practice at WWF; Dr Tom Breeze, Senior Research Fellow at University of Reading; Dr Helen Crowley and Dr. Sulemana Abudulai - Chairman of African Biodiversity Network.
How to join the movement
Businesses and organisations:
Become a member of Trillion Bees and join our Bee The Change awareness and fundraising campaign, with endless creative opportunities for customer engagement, activations, content and events.
Contact us hello@beethechange.org or follow us on LinkedIn to find out more.
Individuals:
Your everyday choices can make a difference. Follow us on Instagram & TikTok and we’ll show you how – whether it’s pledging your support or even making a donation, every action counts.
Coming in 2024
Bee The Change documentary by award-winning filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell, who make films about the environment, that reach millions of hearts and minds worldwide.
Bee The Change is a stunning and emotional short documentary on story of our dependence on nature and the magic work of bees and other pollinators
Stay tuned for more news!
About us
In May 2020, PANGAIA initiated the Bee The Change fund via Milkywire, focusing on pollinator conservation and supporting related NGOs.
This year PANGAIA decided to expand the scope and impact by turning the initiative into a global campaign and invite other like-minded businesses, organisations, and individuals onboard the mission to secure a world where pollinators thrive to sustain healthy ecosystems and wellbeing of people and nature.
Bee The Change now seeks to become a major global movement, promoting awareness, fundraising, and behavior change for nature's benefit.Trillion Bees' goal is to engage over 2 billion people and raise over $1 billion for nature restoration.
A big thank you to our co-founders and a warm welcome to future partners.
Frequently asked questions
How does my money make a difference?
Every dollar, pound or euro counts – and is sent to non-profit organisations around the world. From funding vital research to restoring habitats, your donations are helping to protect pollinators and biodiversity for generations. For more information on where your donations currently go, please scroll back up to the ‘Our current projects’ section. These organisations are just the start for us – many more will be coming soon as we expand our work. Check back for more updates.
Why are pollinators so important?
The transfer of pollen between plants results in fertilisation, and is integral to the growth of crops, fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts. Our pollinators are the unsung heroes of our planet, and without them it would be impossible to sustain life on earth.
Why are bees and other pollinators dying?
There are a number of reasons why bees and pollinators are in decline. These range from habitat-loss due to intensive agriculture, exposure to toxic pesticides, and the rapid changing of seasons due to climate change.
How did Bee The Change start?
Back in May 2020, PANGAIA launched the Bee The Change fund, powered by Milkywire. This fund was created with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of pollinators, and to support grassroots NGOs working to preserve them.
This year PANGAIA decided to expand the scope and impact by turning the initiative into a global campaign and invite other like-minded businesses, organisations, and individuals onboard the mission to secure a world where pollinators thrive to sustain healthy ecosystems and wellbeing of people and nature.
What is the Bee The Change fund and what will it support?
The Bee the Change fund seeks to raise $1B to increase pollinator-friendly habitats, reduce harmful pesticide use, increase diversified cropping systems for natural pest control and soil health and sponsor leading-edge bee and pollinator research to help them adapt to climate change and track their global health.
What will the Trillion Bees coalition do?
By joining together with some of the world’s most influential and biggest brands, we’ll raise awareness of the scale of the issues we’re facing with pollinator and biodiversity loss, and raise funds to protect them from further harm.
How does the Trillion Bee Coalition and the Bee the Change Campaign add to other efforts already underway?
There are many public research entities, scientists, academics, NGOs and citizen groups that understand the critical role of pollinators and the peril of their decline. However, many of the advocates are small, localised, and sector specific, and have limited funds and reach. There are some larger cross-industry players such as WBCSD, OP2B, Business for Nature and others, but they have yet to join a single global campaign to unlock civil society in support of sufficiently ambitious collective actions.
What is a ‘theory of change’?
A theory of change is a framework for planning, action, project management and evaluation, used by companies and non-profit organisations. Our Trillion Bees theory of change starts with our long-term goals and vision – then we map out a plan backwards from there to identify preconditions and the actions required. Every goal, action and evaluation plan is signed off by our advisory board.